GPS.

A set of 27 satellites orbiting the earth constitute a network, arranged such that at any given time four satellites are visible from any point on earth. The GPS receives all information into an electronic almanac and calculates its own location-latitude, longitude and altitude, via a mathematical principle called trilateration, based on the distance of three (3) satellites.

In the West especially USA every vehicle/car is fitted with a GPS System, so every time we set out to go to a destination, we type in the address, and the GPS takes over, it says turn left, turn right etc.But in reality every time whether it was my daughter driving in Boston or my sister driving in Dallas we would end up getting lost en-route and arguing with each other while the GPS nonchalantly goes on re calculating.

Every outing is like a real wild goose chase, with heated arguments and huge gas bills at the end of the trip. My sister even got lost while driving lack home, after picking us up from the Airport, while my daughter lost her way returning from the bus terminal.

Back home in India this fad and technological marvel has not caught on as yet, we still rely on the tried and tested method of slowing down, lowering the window and asking some pedestrian for directions. This works perfectly 99% of the time, except when some devious devil decides to give us wrong directions.
My uncle no matter how drunk he was would always be able to find his way back to his home- people attributed it to him devouring succulent homing pigeons as the hors d’ oeuvres. In some of the new large multiplexes I have to ask directions to even go to the loo.

They say there are many paths to the destination but if you are equipped with a GPS you will never find the true path. In Italy where all roads are supposed to lead to Rome, taxi drivers get flummoxed and end up fighting with the clients. I am waiting for GPS to be launched in India, then I can gift one to my wife and say get lost – till the latitudes and longitudes unto themselves divorce us. -Vinay